THE BALKAN SITUATION.

Southland Times, Issue 17831, 7 September 1916, Page 4

THE BALKAN SITUATION.

Of greatest interest for the moment are the reports of fighting in the Dobrndja. It is clear 'that Roumania ' has been invaded,by, the back door and that the enemy has made a considerable advance, though it is as yet quite impossible to say whether the invasion is in force. So far most of the fighting appears to have consisted of patrol skirmishes in which Russian and Bulgarian cavalry have met, but if the claim made in the German communique that the Bulgarians stormed the bridgehead at Tutrakan is true (and German communiques must always be received with suspicion) heavy fighting has occurred. The Roumanians would not allow the bridgehead at Tutrakan to pass from their possession without a severe struggle, for if the Bulgarians can force the passage of the Danube at this point they are only thirty miles from Bucharest and threaten the whole system of communications of the Roumanian armies in Transylvania. The Dobrndja,is that easternmost part of Roumania which lies between the Danube and the Black Sea. The southern end of the area is the Silistrian district which Bulgaria was compelled to cede to Roumania under the Treaty of Bucharest after the Second Balkan war. The Danube is the frontier - between Roumania and Bulgaria only to a point midway between Rustchuk and Tutrakan; from this point the frontier runs to the Black Sea at a point a few . miles above Varna. This is the frontier which the Bulgarians have apparently with two forces, one of which, aiming at Bucharest, .has reached the Danube at Tutrakan, and the other, with Constanta (Constanza or Kustenji), port on the Black Sea as its objective, has occupied Dobrie, the most considerable town in the southern corner of Silistria and the terminus of a railway from Varna. Whether the menace to Bucharest is formidable remains to be seen. The withdrawal of the Bulgarians before • the Serbians in Western Macedonia and the entire cessation of activities on the Struma front indicate that Bulgarian . troops have been railed up to the Roumanian frontier, and it is reported that Von Mackensen is now in command of the army. It is ■ inconceivable, however, that Roumania would leave the back door unguarded. One of the first considerations would be safety in that quarter, and it is reasonable to assume, therefore, either that there is a very large Roumanian forc% available for the defence of the Danube and the Dobrudja or that the Russians have provided a sufficient number of men to afford adequate protection. The news is meagre and fragmentary, however, and we shall have to await further inClearly the report of the Roumanian occupation of Rnstchuk was incorrect, and the other report that a Russian army had already entered Bulgaria was purely an effort of the Imagination. There is no indication of half-heartedness in Bulgaria’s co-oper-ation with the Central Powers, and a Petrograd message denies that Prince Boris is a Russophile. In Greece the pro-Ally movement gains ground, but it is now suggested that even if a policy favourable to the Allies is adopted the whole army will not be mobilised to join the Anglo-French forces. The basis for many of the reports with respect to Bulgaria and Greece is obviously speculation and guess-work. With the Bulgarians in the Dobrudja, the Allies might be expected to advance in force from Salonika, bntflas yet there is no news of a vigorous movement on the part of General Sarrail. The whole position, with respect no less to the Roumanian advance into Transylvania than to the Bulgarian advance into Dobrudja, is obscure, and no opinio* of any real value with respect to the probable development of the military position can be formed upon the available data.

During the cold break .a number of dairy cows in this district have lost their calves, says the Otautan harm . The cold weather and too much tuin P feeding was suggested as one of tin causes. This means a great loss to a farmer, with such high prices for cheese and butter.

The colours of the Southland Bo>s High School have been gazetted as follows:—Band. llti inches wide In ru 1. white and navy horizontal » tr, h es - t ( p white stripe U-inch wide, bv Bie red stripe %-lnch wide and the navy stripe % - inch wide. The badge is a red shield bordered with bine am wait bands; the monogram- to be silver on the shield.

After a heavy afternoon’s ram, winch continued without interruption in the evening, there was a sudden change in the temperature last night, and about 1130 p.m., after distant thunder and lightning, soft fleecy snow commenced to fall. It looked as though the town was to receive a good coating of real snow, but at 1 a.m. the rain commenced again, and was falling heavily up to the time wc went to press.

The Mataura Branch of the Women s Christian Temperance Union has forwarded the cases of clothing packed on August 14th for the destitute of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and Dr Barnardo’s Homes. Mr D. MrPheison. Chief of the Dunedin. Caledonian Bocietv, and the manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., of Gore, have kindly consented to arrange for the shipment free of cost to their respectiie destinations.

Reduced prices of admission will be charged at the repeat performance of the First Church Choir's Recital in the Theatre to-night, when 1 will be the charge all over the Theatre, except the dress circle. This concession ought to ensure a full house und doubtless many who heard last night's line performance will again avail themselves of another opportunity of listening to the exquisite choral harmony of the choir. The beautiful musical effects cannot all be grasped at the first time of hearing. Only as these become known do they take on an added'lustre. The choir will sing with more freedom to-night, having passed through the ordeal of a first night's performance successfully. What is to* be the function of the police In respect to the Military Service Act? How far the police are to come into the case of any Reservist depends on the man himself. If he takes the trouble to read the advertisement in this issue or a poster, or if he calls at a post-office, lie will learn how to avoid any embarrassing or worrying attentions from the police. Constables are authorised to question a Reservist on the subject of enrolment, and they have power to detain a man If they are not satisfied with, his replies. Every Reservist should make prompt application for a certificate of enrolment which satisfies the police. This document also acts aa a passport to employment.

The Lome Farm Pair was opened yesterday afternoon by Mr A. F. Hawke, Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. There was, considering the weather conditions, a surprisingly large attendance, moat of the visitors having been conveyed from town in special busses kindly lent by Messrs Head and McNie. The latter donated the proceeds to the Red Cross and Belgian Relief Funds. The first afternoon and evening of the Fair proved a great success, the Hibernian Band and Maloney’s Orchestra contributing largely to the visitors’ enjoyment. Very finely decorated tearooms were an attractive feature of the Fair. The takings by r» p.m. had reached the amount of £3O, and no doubt the latter part of the evening saw this sum considerably increased. This evening Underwopd motor lorries will leave town at 7 o'clock (returning at 10.30 p.m.), to convey visitors to the Fair, where the South School Drum and Fife Band will be in attendance, and a good programme submitted, to which the “P.0.P.8.” will contribute.

Probably one .of the- moat cheerful men on board the Arawa which has arrived at Auckland was Sergeant W. "Woods, who was blinded in both eyes by a bullet at Gallipoli about May 10, 1915. Sergeant Woods enlisted at the outbreak of the war with the 16th (North Otago) Infantry', and proceeded to the front with the Majn Body. His spirit was undaunted by a terrible Injury which he received. He proceeded to (>eat HrJtaJu, .anti eptujy^,the home for, blind soldiers at St. Dunstan's, which is under the management of Sir Arthur Pearson. Sergeant Woods here became an expert masseur, and now holds the certificate of the Incorporated Society of Trained Masseurs the highest distinction obtainable in the profession. Later he spent six months in the Middlesex Hospital, and is now a thoroughly qualified masseur. Sergeant Woods won the hearts of all on board by his cheerful spirits, and his work as a masseur was specialty commended by Dr Marshall Macdonald. He had 12 patients who are now well on the road back to health as a result of his ministrations. Sergeant Woods is escorted by his sister, who, in her capacity as escort to her blind brother, holds the official rank of sergeant.

In the'Walrarapa Age appears an extract from a letter written to a friend by Nurse Jones, formerly district nurse there, but now on duty in the Kawal Pindi Field Hospital in Mesopotamia. It runs as follows:—"Here I arn in this hot place. It was my own fault, of course. We all'offered to come up here. We had to pass a very stiff medical examination. It was hot in. the Persian Gulf, and to make things worse we hud to wait nearly a week for a boat to take us up the river. We have been here three weeks, aand already some of the sisters are sick and off duty. But, thank goodness, I am very fit. The cooler weather starts In September, so that is a bright star ahead. We are not allowed nut alone, even for a short distance. The Arabs in this part are not to be trusted. The Tigris flows past the hospital, and we ace all tha’t goes on. The troops go up in the river boats and the sick and wounded come down to us, and later on are sent on to Basra and Bombay. There are very few colonials here, about a, dozen altogether, and they are attached to the Wireless Corps, further up the river."

In the House of Commons on June 22, Sir Archibald Williamson asked the. I’resident of the Board of Trade whether the International Mercantile Marine Company, of New Jersey, America, owned the White Star Bine, the Dominion Line, the. American Line, the Red Star Line, and 9HV4 Per cent, of the ordinary shares of the Leyland Line, with a total tonnage afloat and under construction of l,2«0,50l tons, and 25 per cent, of the HollandAmerica, 44 per cent, of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, and SO per cent, of G. Thompson and Company, the last three with a total tonnage alloat and under construction of 400,074 tons, whether he was aware that many of the shareholders of the International Mercantile Marine Company bore German names; and whether he would take such •tepa as were necessary to prevent the possibility of the control of lines of national importance, so far as they are under the British flag, falling into German hands. Mr Pretyman replied us follows: —"The statements of fact contained in the first part of the question are, I am informed, substantially correct. I cannot say how many of the shareholders in the International Marine Company bear German names, The Government has taken steps which would effectively prevent the real control of any of the British lines referred to passing into enemy hands.”

A disastrous tire has occurred in the pastoral country of the sub-divided Otekaike Estate, and is still burning, says the Otago Daily Times. It commenced five days since on Mr Dorsay’s run, and destroyed a large area of tussock. From Dorsay’a it extended to the runs of Messrs Hutton, Francis, and Stringer (the latter only recently purchased from Mr Arthur B. Moore). From Mr Stringer’s property U spread to the run of Messrs Payne Bros., Ben Bomond. and then ran into Wright Bros.’ property. The fire, which commenced on Friday, has been burning fiercely ever since, although the most determined efforts have been made by all the property owners to beat It out. It baa destroyed the feed on fully 10,000 acres of country. It Is unknown how many sheep have per-, ished, but our informant, who has just come down from the devastated region. Is- afraid there must have been serious loss of stock. As far as Payne Bros." sheep are concerned, however, the loss has been slight, and a portion of their run escaped through the strenuous and successful efforts that were made to beat out the flames, and the providential Intervention of a severe frost, which materially helped to arrest their progress on Friday night. The untouched area on their property may prove sufficient to' keep their sheep in fair condition until the new shoots from the burnt luaawto provide feed*

Apparently tlie scarcity of metal coinage is causing people to search their ancient furniture for old coins, hitherto regarded as treasures, with a view to putting them in circulation (says the Wellington Post ). Two such coins, given as change on tramcars, were reported a day or two ago, and on Saturday Motorman Burbery, travelling on a car while off duty, was given as change two coins, supposed to be halfpennies, one of which proved to be u George 11. farthing. It Is rather larger than modern coins of the same kind, in a good state of preservation, and bears the date l.ul.

A letter has been received from Lieutcolonel Moorbouse stating that the Manama will arrive in New Zealand early in October, and will then be reconditioned. It has been ascertained that she will require the following articles of equipment from the Red Cross of Otago and Southland ;—2500 triangular bandages, 375 day shirts, 250 surgical towels, 250 service bags, 250 diet cloths, 250 large tea towels, 230 mufflers, 250 balaclavas, 250 mittens, 500 day socks, 125 draw sheets. Any donations towards completing the above list will be thankfully received. Wool for socks, balaclavas, and mittens can be obtained on application at the Bed Cross rooms.

The New South Wales District Commandant announced last week that the Minister for Defence had again drawn attention to the fact that the word "Anzac" could be used only for military purposes, and that anyone, using it in any other way would ho prosecuted with the utmost rigour of the law, with, in the event of a conviction, the certainty of a heavy penalty. Several harassed mothers of babies in arms called at the Sydney Sun oftlce for advice. According to their story, their children had been christened recently, and among the names given to them was Anzac. They want to Know where they stand. They do not wish to transgress the War Precautions Act, but'they doubt their power to have the children's names altered without an expensive law process. The newspaper people referred them to the District Commandant.

There is great interest in medical circles in Sydney in a case being treated at one of the city hospitals. A man named George Frederick Cox, a railway employee, had the llesh burned off his nose under a locomotive, which passed over an ashpit in which he was working, over a year ago. The llesh of one of his arms was also burned off. The surgeons cut a tlap of'flesh from the abdomen and raised it sufficiently to pass over the seared arm, which was tied in position. After a month flesh had grown on to the arm, and it was then cut free from the abdomen, leaving sufficient to graft on to the nose. The patient, after having the arm tied across his forehead, is now in a condition for the final operation, the flesh having grown on to the nose within a week. The doctors will commence to fashion It to shape. "The Twentieth draft will go away up to strength," said the Minister of Defence when his attention was drawn to the fact that there was still a heavy shortage in this draft. “We have no idea of sending this or any other draft away below strength. It has happened that we have been unable to send away the full strength of a draft. The sixteenth, for instance, did not go at full strength, but that was not because wc did not have the men. We had not accommodation for them in the transports. If It ever happens that we have space for more than the full number in any transports we will send them. We are doing all we can to send men away in the required numbers, and we have no Intention whatever of making the Twentieth Reinforcements a smaller draft than any of the others. The Twentieth draft will be made up to strength.’’

In referring to some adverse criticism relative to the health conditions at Trentham the Hon. James Allen said : "In my opinion Trentham is as healthy a place as could be found, and it is especially so in summer. As a matter of fact, all the camps in New Zealand are remarkably healthy, and' we have had a very small percentage of sickness. In regard to cerebro spinal meningitis, for instance, we have had less of‘ it in New Zealand than anywhere else. The Government has made this disease the subject of careful investigation. A Committee of Inquiry, comprising public health officers and members of the Government Medical Department, was lately appointed, and is ' taking steps to see if .means cannot be, devised, to_- slop the disease altogether, inquiries were made in England and Australia,- and we have now received some information from England which may be of great value to us in fighting the disease.”

The statement has been published In some papers that Bull Hock is so named because of the noise made by the action of the sea on the rock—a noise said to be similar to that of a bull roaring. This story has been challenged, and it 1s stated that the rock received Us name from whalers. Ofter on a calm night whales swam round the rock, and as they rubbed against it to remove the barnacles from their skin they roared like a hull. The sound could be distinctly heard from the shore, and whalers in the vicinity were made aware of the proximity of "right - ’ whales. The rock in question, according to Colonel Porter, who has visited it on several occasions has a Sufficiently tUt surface on the top for the whales torrid themselves there of barnacles that may have adhered to the under portion of their bodies. The Native name for whale is Tahorn, or Pakake. and the practice of these mammoths of making use of the rock was well known to the Maoris.

A correspondent writes to the Grey River Argus:—Judging by the appearance of the town six days out of seven, I think the following would do excellently to word a poster for some energetic auctioneer; "For Sale —Quiet Ilttlj town, situated at the base of the Grey River; all inconveniences, with a very erratic water supply (both from the heavens and the reservoir); trade at a standstill, with great prospects of a future slump. Good speculation for man wanting to recuperate from nervous breakdown.” Some might call this sarcasm, but nevertheless it is true, and to hear the old-timers talking about what a'different place It was in the days gone by makes one wonder If they really mean Greymouth. Wtiy the pioneers ever started a townstiip where Greymouth now stands is a thing of wonder to me, especially when there was such a lot of space in other parts of the coast.

The Archbishop of Sydney (Dr Wright) gave evidence before the Venereal Diseases Parliamentary Committee, last week, and intimated that he would bring the problem before the meeting of bishops to be held preliminary to tho General Synod in October, for the consideration of certain aspects. Asked what be thought of a suggestion that clergymen should refuse to perform marriages without a medical certificate showing freedom from infective disease being presented hy the bridegroom to the clergyman or the bride’s father. Dr Wright said the Church had not considered the particular course suggested. He added that the connection of the drink question with the venereal diseases problem was undoubted, and the temptation and stimulation of the worst passions by the suggest iveness of many plays and films was another matter bearing on the question. Those were subjects to be considered as well as tin: marriage ceremony, if not before. As to handing the certificate of health to the clergyman instead of the bride's parents, he thought it would put the clergyman in ;i. false position. Provided the laws of God and the laws of tin* Church were observed, lie did not think the clergyman’s function should be touched.

In his report on imports for J9H-15, Mr W. G. Wickham, late Imperial Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, says ;

"The import of field glasses, shown separately for the first time this year, was only £”261, but, in spite of a 10 per cent, advantage In duty over foreign makes, the share from I'nlted Kingdom makers was only till. Germany supplied twiee this amount and France slightly more. There are two reasons known to me as accounting for this state of things; one is the fact that importers have pushed file quality of their purchase almost down to vanishing point; the other is the bad method of sale of British makers. Several have confined their makes to sin. gle retail jewellers, apparently without even any compensating stipulation that the retailer should confine himself to their make. There are not many firms in N'ew Zealand specialising in optical and scientific instruments, but there are enough to make it ridiculous to appoint retail silversmiths and jewellers as sole agents. There is little or no advertising of British makes and certainly no attempt known the superior merits of British field glasses. There is a widespread belief current here that British makers in this line have been quite left behind in competition, particularly as regards quality,

Speaking under the auspices of the United Workers at the National Economy Exhibition in July, Sir George I’aisli dealt witli "Our Financial Resources." In tlie first eight months of the war, he said, the nation provided £iioo,ooo,ooo, and provided it so easily that no one seemed to think about it. In tlie next twelve months the nation provided nearly £1,600,000,000. Tills again was done very easily; but this year we had to find at least £1,800,000,000, and possibly £2,000,000,000, and the task had become, increasingly difficult. But the problem of finding £1,800,000,000 was not so difficult as it would be if it had to he found out of a normal income of £2,100,000,000. During the war, owing to tlie rise in prices and other causes, tlie nation's income had been substantially increased, and at the present time tlie income was well over .",,000,000,000. If only everyone would work as he had never worked before the problem of finding the necessary money could be solved. Britain as a nation was already doing more than had ever been done before in any war. It was the banker of the Allies. It would probably lend them between £-450,000,000 and 600,000,000 in the course of the current year. These things it had exepeted to do before the war began, but it was in addition maintaining a very great army; and what it was doing was being achieved in face of the fact that the greater part of the male population had been taken from industry.

It will be noticed by advertisement that the ever popular "P.O.I > .’’ concert party will give a series of four entertainments starting on Wednesday, the 13th inst. Apart from the fact that new songs, new jokes, and new patter will be Introduced, patrons will have tlie satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing to most deserving causes. Crowded houses are therefore anticipated.

New Ties, New Caps, New Collars. — UNDRILL’S, opposite Post-office. x

Town Improvements.—Owing to the rapid growtli of business, the PROGRESSIVE DRAPERY STORE in Tay street, have found it necessary to make large extensions. The contractors are now engaged making a large archway to connect the shops for the convenience of customers and also add floor space to the Clothing, Manchester, Dress, Fancy and Infants’ Departments. This will enable the public to inspect this firm’s local made goods in superior quality material at a price much lower than it is possible to procure elsewhere. It is pleasing to note the success achieved by this enterprising firm. x

A GOOD PLACE TO STAY: RAILWAY HOTEL, INVERCARGILL. Right opposite Railway Station. x

"White Voiles arc as popular a Blouse Fabric as ever. Useful widths for twenty minutes’ Blouses or other styles are stocked by THOMSON & BEATTIE, LTD. Plain Voiles, 40 inches wide, 1/3, 1/6, 1/9 to 2/3 per yard. X-'ancy Weaves at 1/6 to 2/9, 40 indies wide. X

S.P.Q.R.— Fry’s Cocoa, 9cl; 10 pkts Hudson’s Powder, 1/-; Kdmond's B. Powder, 1/4; 3 bottles Essences, I/-: Electric Candles, 7d; Wax Candles, 8d; 6 Swift Boot Polish, 1/-; 1 medium Swift, 1/-: 71b tin Jam, 2/9; Seeded Raisins. Ed; 5 pkts Blue, 1/-; 701b bag Sugar, 14/9, at BAXTER'S. Best possible value for prompt cash. x Novelty Neckwear. —This article of Ladles’ Apparel is always of interest, especially if it be of that refined artistic style so much in evidence for the present Summer Fashions. PRICE &.BULLED.), LTD., Tay street, have been receiving some direct consignments from London per parcel post, and they comprise some exceedingly attractive, dainty and stylish numbers. The prices range at 1/-. 3/3, 1/6, 1/9, 1/11, 2/3. up to 4/(1 each. Of course price quotation does not convey a correct idea of value. See these lines and you will be convinced of tiie excellent value offering. x "Sweet Is the pleasure after pain."— Dryden.

Tha enlivened expression of everyone who has been cured of chest and bronchial troubles by BAXTER’S LUNG PRESERVER is proof of the tonic value of tills old and well-tried specific. •■Baxter's” Is both a splendid rejuvenator and a certain remedy for coughs, colds, sore throats and chest and bronchial complaints. After fifty years, it is still In unceasing demand. At Chemists and Storekeepers—l/ 10 buys big bottle.

DON’T LET TOUR CHILD BE THIN.

“A very thin boy or girl,” says a medical man, "is an abnormal child; and the beat single remedy for two-thirda of the evils which attend growing humanity is to put half-an-inch more padding over their bones.” If your child is not thriving, add WILSON’S MALT EXTRACT to his diet. Barley is a magnificent food, and Wilson’s Malt Extract, being the concentrated essence of the finest malted barley, has an unequalled food value, A short course of it makes these puny children strong and rosy and stout, which all healthy children should be. All chemists and stores sell this famous food. Wholesale Agents: ROTDS BROS. AND KIRK, LTD. 4

CUT DOWN TYKE COSTS—USE "FIRESTONES.”

Extra tread, extra side wall, extra coating of finest rubber between fabric plies —these are three of seven reasons why “FireHtone” Tyres give “Most Miles for the Money.” The demand for •■Firestones” has made the manufacturers the largest producers In America, specialising on tyrbs and rims. Iry out a "Firestone” tyre on your car, and demonstrate for yourself that they give greater mileage. Further particulars from A. HATRICK & CO., LTD., Wanganui, and Wellington, Agents for New Zealand. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. That cough troubles you at night. Here’s the remedy. Take a few drops of "NAZOL” on a piece of sugar and immediate relief will ensue. No cough Is "NAZOL” proof: SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On paje 1 — Wanted, mechanic. Wanted, residence. For sale, good houses. Wanted to buy, lior.se and trap. For sale, hull of launch Palantine. ‘Wanted, position as farm manager. For sale, Motueka. river Hats, Nelson. On page 3 Oiumt Pictures at 2 and 7, Albion Pictures at 2 and 7, Popular Pictures at 2 and 7. Musical Recital, Municipal Theatre, tonight. Russian musicians, Municipal Theatre, September Submarine Motion Pictures, Municipal Theatre, Sept. II and 32. Tiie Underwood lorry will leave for Lome Farm Fair to-night at 7 o’clock. Week-end excursion to Queenstown, September !). Public Trust Office notices. Notice re poison laid for dogs. "P.0.P.5." concerts September 12, 20, 27, and Oct. 11. For all photographic work visit The Wootton Studio. List of winners of raffles, Lome Farm Fair. On page 6 Wm. Todd’s weekly furniture sale today.